Business travellers have been given a heads up with security experts revealing the most unstable destinations and likely threats for 2012 at the annual Security Risk Outlook presentation.

¡°One of the biggest lessons from the events of 2011 was that major crises do occur in low and medium risk environments,¡± Travel Security Services regional security director Mick Sharp said, adding that companies can no longer simply rely on risk ratings when it comes to security planning.

Control Risks' Asia Analysis head Andy Gilholm agreed, advising some traditionally low risk countries will again pose greater security threats to business travellers this year, particularly given the unresolved Eurozone financial crises and socio-political risks associated with austerity and food prices, among other factors.

Mr Gilholm continued to advise that while the Arab Spring was the main example of social protest, it is likely that 2012 will see continuing problems from southern Europe to the UK and the US.

Control Risks warns that low risk countries also pose operating challenges such as regulations, IP Protection, white-collar crime and other threats that can impact on a company¡¯s business opportunities and success.

During the event, a survey revealed that companies will be sending more business travellers overseas. Natural disasters, terrorism and social unrest were the greatest security concerns flagged in the survey, according to Control Risks.